Certain employers that see higher rights of opioid overdoses are now mandated by the province to have naloxone kits on-hand. They will also need to train employees on how to use them.
Queen’s Park says more than 1,000 free kits have been distributed to businesses across Ontario.
“Ontario is in the middle of an opioid epidemic, and every one of these deaths is preventable,” said Labour Minister Monte McNaughton. “From worksites to nightclubs, requiring naloxone kits in at-risk businesses will help us increase awareness for opioid addiction, reduce the stigma, and save lives.”
Naloxone can temporarily reverse opioid overdoses, restore breathing and buy time for paramedics to arrive.
“Everyone’s life has meaning, and naloxone gives people the second chance they deserve,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This policy will save lives and make Ontario a safer place to work.”
In 2022, more than 2,500 deaths were linked to opioids in Ontario.
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File photo credited to Ontario.ca
